3 Days in Nashville: Suggested Itineraries

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Tennessee's scenic riverfront capital is something of a paradox, both elegantly Patrician and comfortably down-to-earth. It is at once a sophisticated city, built on shipping and business - most notably, the music industry - and a traditional Southern capital, surrounded by thickly forested mountains, spectacular waterfalls, and tiny towns known for sturdy Tennessee walking horses and fine sipping whiskey.

This is Music City, U.S.A., home of the Grand Ole Opry and its storied Ryman Auditorium, which launched scores of beautiful voices into country music stardom. While most of Music Row remains devoted to typically Tennessean sounds, including country, rock 'n' roll, and Christian contemporary, Nashville is now a center for just about any genre you can download, including rap, pop, alternative, and much more. If you're a fan, pick up a Nashville Music Attractions Pass with discounted entry to several melodic destinations. There is, however, much more to the city.

Day 1: The Heart of a River City

Overlooking the wide Cumberland River, Nashville is a mix of both the graciously traditional and absolutely modern. Begin your exploration of the Tennessee capital with a walking tour through history, or guided trolley trip among the skyscrapers. Better yet, book a combination tour, visiting highlights including Nashville's perfect scale replica of the Parthenon in Athens and the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum.

Day 2: A Night on the Town

This is Tennessee, so please feel free
to relax for a spell. After a leisurely Southern breakfast (don't miss
the biscuits and gravy) consider walking around the waterfront or
stately campus of Vanderbilt University. Or head out into the Tennessee
hills, to tiny Lynchburg, where Jack Daniel's Distillery transforms fine
corn mash and pure artesian spring water into one of the world's best
whiskeys. You can't taste it here - Moore is a dry country - but there
will be plenty available to go with the live music on the Nashville
Nights tour.

Day 3: Out into the Cumberland

Nashville is
settled into a scenic gap through the Cumberland Mountains of Middle
Tennessee, and surrounded with scenic and historic spots. If you have a
car and good map, the finest destination for hikers is arguably Fall
Creek Falls State Park, named for a spectacular 256 foot (78 meter)
waterfall. Civil War buffs could head out to Murfreesboro to see “Hell's
Half Acre,” or Stones Creek Battlefield. Or, book the Historic
Tennessee Tour into the rolling hills, to see the former Confederate
headquarters at beautiful Belle Meade plantation, as well as the
Hermitage, the home of President Andrew Jackson.

13 Tours and Tickets

Cruise on Nashville's Cumberland River aboard one of the country's largest paddle-wheel boats, the 'General Jackson Showboat', during this 4-hour excursion. Book for a lunch or dinner cruise, enjoying the scenery on the riverbanks as well as live entertainment. Round-trip transportation from local hotels included.

See the sights and sounds of Nashville on this guided, 3.5-hour sightseeing tour around Music City. Choose from a morning or afternoon departure, then enjoy the ride. Get an educational and entertaining live narrative from the experienced guide while rolling past famous landmark locations like historic Riverfront Park, Ryman Auditorium, Schermerhorn Symphony Center, the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, the Tennessee State Capitol and more. Admission is included to Ryman Auditorium and the Country Music Hall of Fame, as well as Pick-Up and Drop-Off to and from your Nashville hotel.

Easily explore Nashville on your own with this convenient hop-on-hop-off trolley ticket. Create your own itinerary and go at your own pace with trolleys coming every 20 minutes to the 15 stops around the city. Learn about the famous and popular Nashville sights as you travel with live onboard commentary.

Take a journey back in time to visit two of the most extraordinary and historic homes in the United States on this 7-hour tour of Tennessee. Visit the Hermitage, built as the home of the country’s seventh president, Andrew Jackson. Stop for lunch at historic Hermitage House Smorgasbord, a full southern buffet, then travel to Belle Meade Mansion, formerly a world-renowned thoroughbred horse farm. The day ends with a wine tasting at the Winery at Belle Meade Plantation. Transportation, admissions and a downtown Nashville hotel pickup and drop-off are included.

Experience the thrill of a live concert at Nashville’s premier country music stage, the world-renowned Grand Ole Opry. See new stars, superstars and the legends of country music all in one evening. Unlike a typical concert, the Grand Ole Opry presents eight or more artists at each show, giving the audience a variety of musical styles to enjoy at one event. Choose from a Tuesday, Friday or Saturday night performance on ‘country’s most famous stage.’

Explore the historic Jack Daniel's Distillery on this guided, 7-hour tour from Nashville. Upon arrival via air-conditioned coach, choose between a tasting tour or the non-tasting 'Dry County' tour (own expense). See the Visitor Center; the office where Jack Daniels conducted business; the Rickyard, where special charcoal is used for mellowing; the limestone cave spring, a source of cool, pure, iron-free water; the Barrelhouse building and more. Soak up some free time along the way to visit the nearby town of Lynchburg for lunch, shopping and sightseeing. Hotel drop-off is included.

Step back in time to 1864 and the Civil War’s Battle of Franklin on this guided, 7-hour tour from Nashville. The Battle of Franklin was one of the worst disasters of the war for the Confederate States Army. On this tour, see the bullet and cannon ball holes as well as the battle-scarred floors that still bear witness to the carnage of this dark time in history. Spend time in the town of Franklin to shop, eat and view its historic sites. Nashville hotel pickup and drop-off included.

Watch Nashville's night lights come to life on this 4.5-hour sightseeing tour around Music City. Cruise past famous landmark locations like historic Riverfront Park, Ryman Auditorium, Schermerhorn Symphony Center, the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, the Tennessee State Capitol and more, all lit up for an entertaining evening. Enjoy free time to explore Honky Tonk Row’s various clubs, bars and live music events. And, of course, no visit to Nashville would be complete without dinner at a local barbecue joint. Nashville hotel pickup and drop-off included.

Nashville is called “Music City” for good reason. Music has been and always will be the foundation this city is built upon. Explore four different musical venues with this Nashville Music Attraction Discount Pass. Visit the iconic Country Music Hall of Fame; Ryman Auditorium, home to the Grand Ole Opry for over 30 years; Historic RCA Studio B, where Elvis recorded more than 250 songs and the Johnny Cash Museum, a lasting tribute to “the Man in Black.” Also, receive discounts to the Hard Rock Café and Opry Mills Outlet.

Explore the real-life filming locations featured in the hit TV series ‘Nashville’ on this 3.5-hour tour. Get the inside scoop on the show and visit the homes of characters Rayna Jaymes, Deacon Claybourne, Scarlett O’Connor and Juliette Barnes. Drive by the Bluebird Café and on Thursdays, head inside for an exclusive presentation. Also, Sunday tours include a visit to Ryman Auditorium. Downtown Nashville hotel pickup and drop-off included.

Explore the best of country music’s past and present with this Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum coupon. Situated in the heart of downtown Nashville, this beautifully modern facility is known as the “Smithsonian of country music,” offering 350,000 square feet of dynamic, state-of-the-art galleries, archival storage, educational classrooms, retail stores, restaurants and special event space — all with a stunning view of the rest of Music City. It’s a must-see venue for all fans of country music.

Discover great bars along Second Avenue in Nashville during a 2.5-hour pub crawl led by an entertaining guide. Stop at four to six bars in this historic downtown district on a walking tour that offers drink specials (own expense), stories about Nashville’s colorful history, trivia games, and live music at some venues. This tour departs daily from a central meeting point downtown, with several departure times Friday through Sunday.

Step back in time to 1864 and the Civil War’s Battle of Franklin on this guided walking tour of the Lotz House Civil War Museum. The Lotz House, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, became a war zone during and a makeshift field hospital after the battle. Hear the story of the Lotz family that built this 19th-century home. Explore the displays, learn more about the Battle of Franklin and see the finest Civil War-era antiques collection in the south — all in one historic tour.